The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1887-04-30
Civ Sailg 8nlletin.
SATURDAY. APRIL 30. 1887.
FROM LoN0on TO SYDNEY, 1886.
ny A SHIPS OFFICER.

seem an anomaly, but it is TACT,
nevertheless. But it often happens
that few months at sea may he
pleasantly and profitably employed.
This was my experience at any rate.
In the month of November, 1865, l
was second officer of the tea clipper
Young Lochinvar, one of the ex-
IRENE clippers that were built in
those days for the special purpose
of conveying the new seasons teas
from China to London. She was
720 tons register and carried COM
plemcnt of forty hands, all told, n
number deemed sufficient to man
three ships of her size of the present
day. All tea clippers of those days
carried large crews; they were
heavily rugged and spread an enor-
nous amount of canvas.
The Young Lochinvar had made
her maiden voyage to China and
back, and had obtained the reputa-
ton of fast sailer. She had turned
out her cargo of tea in splendid con-
dition, and was lying in the East
India docks, London, preparatory
to loading again for the East. To
my surprise, one morning, ] found
her flying the black ball flag of
Messrs. James Baines q Co., with a
huge poster on her gangway an
nouncing that she was on the berth
for Sydney, n. $. W., the cabins
required to be somewhat altered in
order to make the necessary arrange
ments for passengers. The work
was quickly accomplished and in
less than fortnight we were haul
ing out of the dock and ready to be
towcd to sea.
The scene of passenger ship
bound to Australia leaving the
docks, is a sight never to be for
gotten. On the pier heads, stand
uncles and aunts, cousins and sis
tiers, come TO bid last farewell to
those who are bound to the Anti
podes. The weeping and wailing
on both sides is sufficient to melt
the heart of Trojan. Amongst
those on board are invariably to be
found, the young bride and BRIDE
groom, the wife in search of her
runaway husband, the old married
couple going to join there advcn-
turous sons, and the poor curate
with wife and large family going
in search of their daily bread. OF
such was the few who sought to
reach Australia by the Young
Lochinvar. The lugboat having
hooked on, and the order to turn
ahead being given, the passengers
and there friends were parted with
out further ceremony. A few way
ing handkerchiefs were the last
signs of a final adicu. With
strong ebb-tide, Gravesend was soon
reached and passed, and before
nightfall the Downs were in sight,
about this time the wind was piping
up from the westward, but the YES
sells course was continued onward
i'll spite Of the increasing gale.
About fifty ships lay in Downs,
weather bound, but at the request
of our anxious and pushing cap
tain, the pilot continued his course
seward with the tugboat still
ahead. After passing the Straits of
Dover, it now being dark, sail was
made and the tow-line hauled in.
The passengers had long sought
their quarters below, but the crew
continued to work the ship in those
narrow waters throughout the whole
of that terrible night. Terrible, it
was in more senses than one, the
wind bowling from the westward,
while the gallant ship under reefed
upper topsails, nobly fought her
way inch by inch, the pilot hoping
to reach wider sea-room before day.
light. He was persevering, and no
doubt in his own mind, thought he
was doing the correct thing, but
what about the poor crew who were
beginning to feel worn out, as any
human being would do after the
racketing that pilot gave them.
When daylight broke the following
morning, the vessel was abreast
of Beachy Head, but the increas-
ing head wind prevented her from
making further Roadway to the
westward. Each member of that
crew prayed within his own heart
that the pilot would think better of
it and turn back, as further progress
onward seemed impossible. The
channel pilot was at last moved,
and he complied with the entreaties
of the crew to seek refuge in the
Downs. The vessels course was
changed, and in few hours she
was safely anchored with ninety
fathoms of chain. A few of the
emigrants have came mp and had
look around, wondering where they
had been and where they were.
Their several appearances indicated
a slight change in the condition of
their stomachs, and as the vessel
now rode quietly at anchor in
comparatively smooth water, they
thought all there troubles were
over.
In two or three days the gale was
over, and tue anchor was once